The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 468

Just as Maeve was starting to feel cornered, a knock on the door broke the tension. Archer walked in, looking calm as always. "Ms. Reese, is everything okay?"

Maeve practically sighed in relief. "Archer, perfect timing. Could you please explain to her that Mr. Mcdaniel asked me to come here to grab some documents?" Archer immediately understood the situation. "Of course. That's correct."

He turned to the secretary, his expression firm but not unkind. "You know no one's supposed to be in Mr. Mcdaniel's office without approval. Why are you here instead of handling your duties outside?"

It wasn't Archer being harsh to impress Maeve, rules were rules, especially for the secretarial team. New hires were always briefed on these things, yet somehow this one had managed to miss the memo. He hadn't expected this new hire to be so clueless.

The secretary flushed, clearly embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Bax. I do know the rule, but I panicked when I saw someone I didn't recognize in the office. I thought it might be something serious. I won't do it again." Maeve jumped in before it got awkward. "It's fine, really. She was just doing her job and being careful. Honestly, it's a good thing to be alert."

She couldn't help but think back to the incident at the airport when she'd been scolded for mixing up cars. 'Yep, can't really throw stones here!

Archer gave a small nod of agreement. "As you wish, Ms. Reese." He turned back to the secretary. "You can return to your desk now."

The girl mumbled a quick apology, glanced briefly at Maeve, and hurried out.

Maeve froze for a second, staring after her. Something about the girl seemed oddly familiar. Her tied-up ponytail, that small mole under her eye-it all clicked.

she was the girl from Byron's sketch.

they grow older. But the resemblance was

tone polite, "have you found the documents

holding the file. "Got it.

you off," Archer said, his

got there. "Archer, one quick thing. Do you know which university that new

from Kleymond University. She replaced the last personal secretary after they left last week. Her resume was a perfect fit, so she got

repeated, her mind racing. It was the same school Byron

if seeing her again

for that

love always stays special. Time just adds this kind of nostalgic filter to it,

cold elevator wall, feeling a

she thought there was a glimmer of hope in this relationship, it

she was still in a daze. Jason and Ryan had already gone to rest, leaving just Byron and Theo

through the quiet as he was bickering with Byron. "I'm still growing! Mommy says I need to eat a lot to get taller. Taking my chicken drumstick is taking away my height. If I end up shorter, it's your fault!" Will, sitting next to him, nodded like

You sure you still need more to eat? No wonder your mommy's hugging Will instead of you." Will quickly pushed his drumstick toward

but can't even share a chicken drumstick with their kid. Unlike Will, who's

classic move-one praising while the other took a jab.

another drumstick and handed it to Byron. "Daddy, this one's for you. Don't steal Theo's-he loves the crispy ones."

luckiest younger brother ever, couldn't

Will, but Will was way ahead of him.